Nerd Life: The origins of Naihanchi

There are many different versions of the origins of Naihanchi.  Given the modern nature of Karate, this one seems more plausible than most to me.

Taught by Ason (possibly actually called Liu Longgong), one of the two bodyguards of the Sapposhin (Chinese emissaries) to the bodyguards of the Sho, during the last ever visit between China and Okinawa from 1866-1868. It's original name was Daipochin, which means "fighting on an uneven surface".  Ason give the first ever noted performance of the Kata during this visit.

It's unique sideways transitions suggest that, rather than being derived from the more usual kung fu (chu'an fa, quanfa) sources of kata, it is one specifically developed for militaristic defensive purposes.  It was renamed Naihanchi when translated into Okinawan culture, and one of it's more likely conveyors was Kosaku Matsumora, rather than Sokon Matsumura (who's family insist was better known as a swordsman).

Matsumora taught both Anko Itosu and Choki Motobu, and in it's original form, the kata started to the left rather than right, as Chinese culture precludes moving the left foot first (as evinced by the Sanchin kata).  This is supported by at least two versions that pre-date or were relatively uninfluenced by Anko Itosu's intervention:  Tachimura no Naihanchi (KishimotoDi) and Motobu-Ryu*.  The Itosu influenced versions start to the right and have his additional Nidan and Sandan kata added in, as were possibly added for the Okinawan education system.

Left starting examples of Naihanchi

Arakaki no Naihanchi

Tachimura no Naihanchi

This is derived mainly from conversations with Scot Mertz.

*Ryukyu Bugei 16 January 2016 - Tachimura no Naihachi

Addendum:

Attributable sources - Scot Mertz kindly provided the additional information, when I asked about the above chat.

Matsumora Kosaku learned Naihanchi from Ufu Giko - From bodyguard Ason
Die Meister Des Karate und Kobudo, Part 1 (German) - Thomas Heinze

Ufu Giko learned Naihanchi from Ason, it was called Daipochin.  This was in 1838
Interview with Nakazato Shigoro 2012 - Scot Mertz

Matsumora Kosaku perfected Naihanchi in 1866 with Ason
The History of Okinawa Karate-do (Japanese) - Kiyoshi Aragaki

Interview with Higa Seiko “My father and grandfather identified Ryu Ryu Ko (Liu Long Gong) as the Sapposhi bodyguard who was with Wai in both 1838 and 1866.”
Karate Denshinroku (Japanese) - Kinjo Aoki

Liu Long Gong (Ryu Ryu Ko) - Teacher of Higashionna Kanryo, Nakaima Kenri, and Sakiyama Kitoku

Hand written scroll - Nakaima Kenko 1968

All courtesy Scot Mertz